Cell- and stage-specific high-level expression of TBP-related factor 2 (TRF2) during mouse spermatogenesis

Mice lacking the TBP-related factor 2 (TRF2) gene, which is highly expresse d in the testis, have a severe defect in spermiogenesis. Here we show that the expression of TRF2 is both cell type- and stage-specific. TRF2 expressi on was first detected in the late pachytene spermatocytes at stage VIII and increased throughout the subsequent stages. After meiotic divisions, the T RF2 expression declined continuously in round spermatids during progression from stage I to stage V. This observation is consistent with an essential regulatory role of TRF2 in male germ cell differentiation during spermatoge nesis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.